CSS International Law chapter 3: Treaties, diplomacy and responsibility MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
59 exam-style questions on Treaties, diplomacy and responsibility, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
State responsibility, nationality, extradition and asylum20 questions
Ten Treaties, diplomacy and responsibility questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. Breaking off diplomatic relations between two states
A
cancels all treaties between them
B
automatically ends consular relations too
C
requires every consul to leave the country within twenty-four hours
D
does not of itself involve breaking off consular relations
Show answer
Answer: D. Article 2(3) of the 1963 Convention states this expressly.
2. A reservation to a treaty is a unilateral statement by a state that
A
adds a new party to the treaty without further negotiation
B
postpones signature of the treaty until the next conference
C
withdraws the state from the treaty as a whole, with immediate effect on all parties
D
excludes or modifies the legal effect of certain provisions for that state
Show answer
Answer: D. Article 2(1)(d) defines a reservation as a statement, however phrased, by which a state purports to exclude or modify the legal effect of certain provisions in their application to it.
3. A state has signed a treaty subject to ratification but has not ratified it. Under Article 18 it must
A
apply the treaty in full as if it had ratified
B
refrain from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the treaty
C
treat itself as free of all obligations
D
obtain approval from the International Court of Justice before it acts at all
Show answer
Answer: B. A signatory is not yet bound by the treaty, but it must not do things that would deprive the treaty of its object and purpose until it makes clear it will not become a party.
4. The rule of exhaustion of local remedies requires an injured foreign national, before his state brings an international claim, to
A
obtain the permission of the host state's government
B
appeal first to the International Court of Justice
C
wait for at least ten years before it may bring a claim in any court
D
use the effective remedies available in the host state's courts
Show answer
Answer: D. The host state is entitled to an opportunity to put right the wrong through its own legal system before international proceedings.
5. The preamble of the 1961 Vienna Convention says that diplomatic privileges and immunities exist to ensure
A
the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions
B
the superiority of the sending state over the host
C
the extension of the sending state's territory into the mission itself
D
the personal benefit of individual diplomats
Show answer
Answer: A. This is the functional necessity theory, now the main justification. The older extraterritoriality theory has been abandoned.
6. The receiving state has a special duty in respect of mission premises, which is to
A
take all appropriate steps to protect them from intrusion or damage
B
inspect them regularly for reasons of local security and public order
C
lease them to the sending state at a fixed rent
D
levy local taxes on them like any other building
Show answer
Answer: A. Article 22(2) imposes a special duty of protection on the receiving state. The premises are also exempt from most taxes.
7. A sudden storm, beyond the master's control, drives a merchant ship into the territorial sea of a state without permission. The wrongfulness of the entry is precluded by
A
the consent of the flag state
B
countermeasures
C
force majeure
D
state necessity
Show answer
Answer: C. Force majeure is an irresistible force or unforeseen event beyond the state's control that makes it materially impossible to act otherwise.
8. A consul normally carries out his work in
A
a consular district, often far from the capital
B
the capital only, in a building beside the embassy
C
the territory of the sending state
D
the seat of an international organisation
Show answer
Answer: A. Consular posts are located in particular districts, usually commercial or port cities, where they serve nationals and trade; embassies are in the capital.
9. When a treaty does not say when it enters into force, it does so, under Article 24, as soon as
A
it has been registered with the UN Secretariat
B
two states have ratified the treaty between themselves, however many negotiated it
C
consent to be bound has been established for all negotiating states
D
a majority of the negotiating states have signed the text
Show answer
Answer: C. Parties can fix the date or the method themselves; failing that, entry into force requires consent by all the negotiating states.
10. Two states sign a treaty by which they agree to enslave captured civilians from a third country. The treaty is
A
valid between them though it cannot bind the third state, which is not a party
B
void, because the prohibition of slavery is a peremptory norm
C
valid, because states may agree on any terms they wish
D
valid for a period of ten years only
Show answer
Answer: B. An agreement to commit acts prohibited by a peremptory norm such as slavery or genocide is void under Article 53.
Treaties, diplomacy and responsibility: questions students ask
How many Treaties, diplomacy and responsibility MCQs are there?
59, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 3 topics: Law of treaties, Diplomatic and consular law, State responsibility, nationality, extradition and asylum. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the CSS International Law chapter 3 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
